Potential bidders for Egg are still showing "healthy interest" in buying the online bank, according to one source close to the sale but analysts say that majority owner Prudential and adviser Morgan Stanley will be lucky to achieve the £1.8bn (€2.7bn) mooted three months ago.

Pru chief executive Jonathan Bloomer, announcing first quarter results for the insurer, said today he would pull the sale if he could not achieve a decent price for the Pru's 79% stake.